Impact

In recent weeks, many Americans have been asked to shelter at home and social distance themselves in the effort to halt the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). While unquestionably necessary in the fight against this pandemic, an unfortunate effect of social distancing has also been economic struggles for those already living paycheck-to-paycheck. Many have had their […]

By Justin Doering– An estimated 3.5 million people experience homelessness in the U.S. annually. Who are these people?  Statistics don’t answer that question. Numbers on a spreadsheet don’t leave us with the emotional investment needed to see those experiencing homelessness as they truly are. Homelessness is an aspect of the human experience that is often […]

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Salvation Army continues to house the homeless, feed the hungry and meet human needs in every respect. If you’re in need, please call your local Salvation Army or find a location near you at westernusa.salvationarmy.org. Here’s 10 ways The Salvation Army across the western U.S. is helping […]

When you donate goods to The Salvation Army—clothing, furniture, appliances and even cars—those items are then sold at the Family Stores. The Family Stores are directly connected to The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers. Through these cost-free, biblically based programs, The Salvation Army provides housing, food, counseling, community and employment while working to treat the […]

We all want to help make the world a better place, but where do we start? Sometimes we feel like we’re not wealthy enough or we simply don’t have enough time in the day to give in the way that we’d like to. But everyone can do something to make people smile, and it truly […]

March is here—bringing spring with it. It’s a time when many of us go into spring cleaning mode, making checklists of things that need to be done to declutter, clean and organize our homes. But there are also many ways to do good and give back in the process. So before you go through your […]

If there’s one thing we hear time and time again, it’s this: “I thought The Salvation Army was just kettles and thrift stores!”…Which is generally followed by: “I wish more people knew about all The Salvation Army does.”  So, allow us to provide as complete an overview as possible on the extensive work of The […]

This season, simplify, declutter and give to The Salvation Army.   Today is the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, the start of the 40-day lead up to Easter. Traditionally, the religious observance prepares the believer for Holy Week through prayer and self-denial. Many Christians give up something they enjoy—coffee, chocolate or meat, for example. […]

The season of Lent is generally seen as a period of fasting—a time when we give up something we consider important or valuable. But, what if instead of giving up during those 40 days, we decided to give back? While there are countless ways to give back and do good to support your community, here […]

Whether or not you consider yourself someone who cares deeply about the environment, we can probably all agree that living sustainably is the more inconvenient option. Sustainability can take more time, and it’s easier to simply not care. You can buy fast fashion anywhere for cheap, throw out recyclable materials and ignore our duties of […]

When you give $1 to The Salvation Army, it helps to meet needs in the community in which you donate—a practice that started with the very first kettle in 1891. Then, Captain Joseph McFee needed funds to feed the hungry in San Francisco, so he stood by a crab pot to make the meal possible. […]

It’s safe to say most people have heard of human trafficking. Perhaps you’ve learned about it through social media, at church or even reading through this very magazine. And while it’s an exciting time in the anti-trafficking movement due to the increased awareness, we worry about the message that’s coming across. As four anti-trafficking practitioners […]

When I first began to learn about human trafficking while I was in college—more than 10 years ago now—I was convicted of two things. First, I knew that this industry that exploits men, women and children needed to be stopped. The fastest growing crime in the world needed to be brought down. Second, I was […]

From moving to an all-digital format to launching The Do Gooders podcast, Caring’s 25th year of publication proved to be much more than an anniversary celebration. As we close out 2019, Caring rounded up its 10 most-read  stories of the year. From little-known facts about The Salvation Army, to what the experience of homelessness is […]

People called him  “Boxcar” Davis because he would rob trains of their cargo. After years of prison, drug and alcohol addiction, one act of kindness propelled Will Davis from rock bottom to the road to recovery. Watch the Share Change video of Will’s story about a life of crime, addition and family. “To look and […]

While nearly 600,000 Americans experience homelessness, many others are one expense away from it. But what if this pipeline to homelessness was preventable? A new $12 million annual grant from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) to The Salvation Army’s Community Integration Services (CIS) Shallow Subsidy program aims to help individuals and families avoid […]

At one time or another, we all hit a point where everything seems to be going wrong or falling apart and life seems hopeless. Maybe you’ve lost your job, your car broke down, your home was destroyed due to circumstances beyond your control, or Murphy’s Law is just hitting you at full force. We all […]

You probably have heard that William and Catherine Booth co-founded The Salvation Army, but here are 17 things you may not know about them and their children.   1. William Booth (born 1829) worked as a pawnbroker’s assistant for seven years before becoming a Methodist Minister at the age of 21. He hated the trade, […]

We know hunger is an issue, and yet the details can be difficult to fully grasp. Here’s five things you need to know about hunger in America today: 1. In North America, 1 in 8 Americans don’t know where their next meal will come from, which means more than 41 million people are food insecure.   […]

In January 2019, more than 8,000 people were experiencing homelessness in San Francisco, 17 percent more than two years prior, according to the 2019 San Francisco Homeless Count and Survey. The phenomenon is not isolated. In fact, homelessness has grown for the second year in a row throughout the United States; it’s even being called […]

Times of disaster bring uncertainty and fear. They can test us and stretch us beyond our own limits of possibility. And yet, these times—personal or collective—can also reveal a resiliency and strength unknown. When you are facing a new kind of trying time, keep these promises from Scripture close by for encouragement, reassurance and hope […]

We’ve entered a new era of catastrophes.  Over the last two years, the U.S. has experienced 30 natural disasters that have each caused at least $1 billion worth of damage. In many cases, the total was far more significant: the 2017 trifecta of hurricanes Harvey, Maria and Irma combined for $265 billion in losses. When […]

Many veterans know finding “the job” is just the beginning. Discovering one’s path—or purpose—is a process that can take years, and sometimes, a lifetime, especially after having been successful in combat, and returning home without a clear way forward.   That’s where Charles Smith and the staff at The Salvation Army’s The Haven come in. The […]

Have you thought about the impact you’ll have on this world after you leave it? Perhaps you’ve thought about the planet and what your children will grow up experiencing, or maybe you’ve wondered what people will remember you by. It’s safe to say that the world will continue to carry on without us long after […]

The following is a transcript of Tyson’s story. Watch him tell it in this video.   My dad was a drug dealer and a drug addict, and my mom was also a drug addict. As a kid, I’d have friends coming to my house, and my dad was showing them love because they’re making him […]

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now” (Rom. 8:22 CSB). In some parts of the world, young people will sit around a campfire at night and sing. They are often meaningless, but fun songs. One of those songs has lyrics that go like this: “Don’t throw your […]

Stepping in to fill the need, whatever the need might be.  At nine months pregnant and with her due date around the corner, Jessica Moulton and her baby’s father were homeless and living in her car. But one week before her son was born, they found refuge at The Salvation Army Booth Family Center—a temporary […]

Multiple mass shootings claimed 31 lives across the U.S. the weekend of August 3-4. The shootings, first at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas and about 13 hours later in a popular district for nightlife in Dayton, Ohio, joined a growing list of mass shootings in the U.S. According to The New York Times, which […]

When many people hear of The Salvation Army, they think only of thrift stores and red kettles. Yet the Army is so much more. The Salvation Army is a faith-based organization that began in London in 1865. The founder, a Methodist minister named William Booth, walked the streets preaching to the homeless, the hungry and […]

Carla Brandt believes the fellowship and skills learned in The Salvation Army’s troop program have the power to change the lives of young girls in communities throughout the country. Brandt, a troop leader in Montana, has seen firsthand how young girls gain confidence, empathy and empowerment through the life skills they learn in their Sunbeams […]

Disasters now displace three to ten times more people than conflict and war, but what if we had a better system to provide early warnings and deliver aid? Some people hear “drone,” and they think aerial surveillance a la “Big Brother” or “drone strikes” in areas mired in conflict. But drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles […]

While it may seem that school just ended for the summer, the reality of the back-to-school season is upon us, bringing with it a mixture of excitement and stress—and disappointment for kiddos not ready to head back to the classroom yet.  Many of us get caught up in all the preparations for the year ahead—purchasing […]

Last year, more than 260,000 kids attended a summer or day camp with The Salvation Army, primarily at one of its 44 camps across the U.S. This is just one account of a life impacted at summer camp.   From the moment Andy stepped off the bus at camp, we knew he would be one to […]

For whatever reason, someone allowed me to attend summer camp as a 6 year old. It was the first time I was away from home without my parents. It was the first time I spent the majority of my week outside. It was the first time I made friends outside of school and outside my […]

Robert Wallace’s childhood was much like a pinball, bouncing around a machine he couldn’t seem to escape. After his biological father was sent to prison and his mother lost custody of him shortly thereafter, he was left to fend for himself in a broken foster care system. His grandmother came to Idaho from Washington to […]

Which came first: the chicken or the pigs? Or was it the goats? No matter the order, all are a part of Homelani Homestead, a homesteading project of The Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands divisional camp, Camp Homelani. The food produced at the homestead supplies the camp kitchen and is also offered to locals, […]

The Salvation Army is known for its innovative rehabilitation and addictions recovery programs, showing that it’s not afraid to take the hard steps to help a person find freedom from their addiction. The programs are effective because they have trained personnel, qualified medical staff and compassionate chaplains who can walk with a person in his […]

Older Adults are the world’s fastest growing population. By 2030, there will be twice as many Americans over the age of 65 as there were in 2000. But are there twice as many services to keep up with the pace? Are there twice as many skilled nursing facilities, geriatricians, retirement communities or Silvercrest residences? Far […]

Food historian John T. Edge credits The Salvation Army with introducing American taste buds to the donut in his book, “Donuts: An American Passion.” During WWI, Edge says that Ensign Margaret Sheldon and Adjutant Helen Purviance were sent to the front lines to give American soldiers a taste of home. Called “Donut Lassies,” they didn’t […]

It may be a matter of political will. There’s a lot of work to be done to eradicate hunger once and for all, but that’s not deterring an overwhelming majority of Americans. According to a 2018 survey by grassroots hunger defense organization WhyHunger, 89 percent of Americans think hunger is a solvable problem—and yet, they’re […]

Are you giving yourself the same care and attention you give to others? We’re often taught to put others first, but it’s important to take care of yourself in order to do your best caring for those around you. There are countless ways you can express self-care—in the way you unwind, present yourself to others […]

12-week course teaches practical exercises, like shifting weight from one foot to the other. Baruch Gould, 75, was at his home in his kitchen and needed to reach something high up on shelf. He climbed on a footstool, but as he reached for the item one foot began to slip. On the verge of falling, […]

The facilities provide ample opportunity for fun, movement and arts education. With school winding down for the summer, parents find themselves scrambling to find a safe space for their kids to continue learning and having fun during the break. Many turn to the 26 Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Centers across the […]

When you feel physical pain, it’s evident to those around you—and one of their first thoughts is probably something like, “You should go see a doctor to get that checked out.” It’s the obvious solution to a finding a cure: seek out professional help. Yet, somehow when we see someone in emotional pain, that’s often […]

Perhaps the most often-asked question I got when I worked at National Headquarters was “When is National Salvation Army Week?” And it always made me laugh. Knowingly. Because, let’s be real. While it is the only week The Salvation Army has that was declared by a president—President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954, a mere 74 […]

April 22 is Earth Day—a day to really appreciate the planet we inhabit and challenge ourselves to make efforts daily to preserve it all year long. Earth Day has been observed since April 22, 1970, when millions of people protested the negative impact industrial operations had on the environment, including increased air pollution that was […]

Bus tickets back home to loved ones are part of a growing strategy to address homelessness. In sunny El Cajon, California, just east of San Diego, Marissa was living on the streets. And so was her mother. They were both homeless and actively using drugs. For awhile, anyway. After several months, Marissa’s mom went to […]

Friends, we must do more. On any given night in America, 553,000 people are homeless. They are men, women and children. They are single and married. They are from every ethnic group, they come from a wide variety of economic and social backgrounds, and every one of their stories is unique. In short, they are […]

If ‘home is where the heart is,’ then it’s fair to say the residents of the new Donald and Priscilla Hunt Apartments at Bell Oasis in Bell, California, are surrounded by more love than ever. The Donald and Priscilla Hunt Apartments at Bell Oasis—which officially opened in September 2018— is a forward-looking rapid re-housing project […]

Research shows sharing a table with others has a number of benefits. Life is busy. Between work, commuting and other responsibilities, it can be hard to carve out the time for meaningful relationships with others. Traditionally, many of these bonds have been formed through something simple: food. “Eating together is one of the most fundamental […]

Nonprofit advocacy forms a vital link between community needs and Capitol Hill. “If you are not at the table, you are on the menu—especially in Washington, D.C.,” said Sabrina Kiser, The Salvation Army’s Assistant Director of Social Services and Public Policy Coordinator at National Headquarters. A Salvation Army employee since 2010, Kiser was there when […]

Workforce development movement takes off in and around Sacramento.   Construction math, blueprint reading and tool basics are all covered in a week-long construction training program in Sacramento, conducted by The Salvation Army through a partnership with the Associated Builders and Contractors Northern California Division.   Focused on the electrical trade, students receive OSHA-10 safety […]

In this season of giving, apply your spirit of generosity to this tangible to-do list of cheerful goodness. 1. Gather a group of friends to volunteer at a kettle for a day. Divide the hours between the group and be sure to deliver hot cocoa to your bell-ringing friends when you’re not on duty. 2. […]

Veterans are known for their exemplary bravery, patriotism and dedication to our country. But I never truly understood the extent of the sacrifices they made for the freedom of our nation until my husband enlisted in the Army. It was then I truly started realizing the selflessness, courage and resilience it takes for the men […]

1. The Salvation Army was founded in London, England, in 1865 by former Methodist minister William Booth. Booth abandoned the conventional concept of a church and a pulpit, instead taking his message of spiritual salvation directly to the people – in particular, the homeless, the hungry, and the destitute of Victorian-era London. 2. The Salvation […]

Giving thanks deserves more than a seat at one meal. Thanksgiving is a purposeful perspective to have toward life. Here are five things you can do to extend thanksgiving beyond one day to make gratitude a lifestyle. Soup kitchens For major holidays, the early hours of the day are commonly spent ladling soup at a […]

Fall is more than a time to enjoy the colorful leaves and pumpkin-flavored treats — it’s also a perfect time to give back to others in the community — whether that be by volunteering, donating or just brightening someone’s day. Here are some creative ways to help others this season: Get crafty Tap into your […]

Across the West, The Salvation Army shapes young lives through mentorship programs. Mentors can change a child’s life for the better, guiding through major decisions and supporting goals and ambitions to navigate through life. This is especially true for at-risk youth, struggling with the adversities of their surroundings. The benefits of mentorship for youth include […]

Partnership brings services to Bay Area’s homeless. During an outreach event at a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station, Lt. Colonel Cindy Foley saw something deeply troubling, yet far from atypical: A young man had fallen asleep on the station’s steps, out in the open. And stuck in his arm, was a needle. “None of […]

Responding to victims of human trafficking I am driving toward Disneyland, just a mile or so from the police department where I will be meeting a victim of human trafficking. As I watch the fireworks start to light up the sky, reality settles in just miles from the happiest place on earth. Human trafficking is […]

A lot of the same reasons they value building for the future. You’ve probably heard about Bitcoin. It’s the currency of the future. The technology that will transform the world. The investment opportunity of a lifetime. It’s also highly volatile. A gamble. A bubble that could burst any day. A scam, even. A lot’s been […]

Non-profit aims to open tech opportunities for San Francisco kids By Vivian Lopez – San Francisco is a hub of technological innovation, housing some of the wealthiest tech companies in the country. Yet, it is also home to one of the roughest neighborhoods in the Bay Area—the Tenderloin. Tech in the Tenderloin, a non-profit initiative, partners […]

The Earth Day Network announced that this year’s vision is on ending plastic pollution. The beauty of Earth Day is the universality of its intentions and implications. Earth Day invites and involves everyone, no matter their age, ethnicity, race, gender, background, religion, and so on, to contribute to the care of the planet we call […]

No matter who you are, you have the ability to do good. Why? Because behind every act of giving is an attitude of grace. What we can do for others is like throwing a pebble into a river—it starts small, but it continues to ripple until the furthest drop of water is touched. Take it […]

You have the power to shop for good via Good Stuff brands that give back. These companies are out to cultivate a healthier and more compassionate community, and their goods represent a tangible way that you can join in the effort. FUL Candles A fragrance that not only affects the atmosphere of a home, but […]

Face-to-face ministry is what we do and who we are With the rise in digital technology—and the amount of time we spend using it—the Army should take a serious look at why we still put out red kettles during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. People are more and more comfortable giving at our websites, so […]

The Salvation Army and HealthSource chiropractic franchise partner to raise awareness of natural alternatives to opioids. As the number of drug-related deaths in the U.S. continue to rise at record pace, many nonprofits and businesses are finding creative solutions to reduce the scope of the nation’s opioid crisis. The Salvation Army, the country’s leading provider […]

It is International Women’s Day and we want to celebrate women all over the world who work to make the world a better place. Today, especially, be inspired to support the women in your life and empowered in your pursuit to uplift others. “Being a working mom, you want to make a difference in our […]

As affordable child care becomes more and more a commodity, low-cost providers such as The Salvation Army step in to fill need, and give parents peace of mind. “Eight-hundred dollars a month in child care?” He slumped back in his chair, stared off into space and slowly shook his head. For the past year, Sylvain […]

Studies show maintaining social connection is key when trying to help alleviate symptoms. When Tessa’s mom died suddenly of a heart attack, she not only lost a companion, whom she spoke with every day, she became the primary caregiver for her dad with dementia. “I went through a really, really tough time,” she said. “I […]

We all admire the amazing acts of heroism we hear about on the news and thank God for the selfless individuals who perform them. Most of us don’t consider ourselves to be heroic or can’t even imagine ourselves in those kind of situations. But we can all make small differences in the lives of people […]

Our​ ​world​ ​is​ ​filled​ ​with​ opportunities​ ​to​ ​step​ ​up​ ​and​ ​use​ ​our​ ​gifts and​ ​talents​ ​to​ ​help​ one another.​ ​ And volunteering​ ​is one of the best ways to do so. But what’s often overlooked is how volunteering experiences can change us from within—how we learn and grow from them so we can give of […]

It is common to assign an entrepreneurial spirit to young people, who readily align themselves with the values associated with entrepreneurship, particularly social entrepreneurship—that “triple bottom line” way of doing business that insists on doing good and doing well at the same time. The picture is complex; entrepreneurial ventures were up 60 percent in the […]

When the battered women’s movement of the 1970s brought national attention to domestic violence, it was led by women who fought for greater protections and resources for each other and for themselves. Organizers sought stricter enforcement of existing laws, the establishment of new ones, the opening of rape crisis hotlines and domestic violence shelters and […]

The social services sector aims to transform how the public sees it, and garner the support it needs to grow.  Widely hailed “The father of broadcasting,” David Sarnoff broadcasted the first ever live sporting event on the radio. And in doing so, he shifted the way the public thought about the radio. It went from […]

“It reeks. It’s dark. It has a funky feel about it. It’s filthy. A lot of girls who work the morning shift, they don’t see daylight.” –Kali Long On a Thursday afternoon at The Salvation Army in Athens, Captain Rachele “Ray” Lamont is engaged in complex negotiations with two young women who have been quietly […]

Captain J Koebel had told his story before, but this time was different. The camera seemed cold. The crew was nice enough, but there was no audience to engage with. No reaction he could measure. He was skeptical of the idea. How would he know whether he was connecting or not? That reaction would come […]

Initiative teaches the foundation of health, wellness and self-confidence On a Monday night at The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center Phoenix South Mountain, over 50 kids lined up on one end of the soccer field. “What’s a purple vegetable?” a staff member yelled out. “Eggplant!” The whistle blew, and off they […]

Nightly soup run offers a meal, plants a seed.   “We’re getting a chance to serve people, you know, like Jesus did.” –Pete Broz “Well, we usually show up down here about 4:15. They’ve got cooks that cook the food all day. Once we load the truck all up, we’ve got about a three or […]

The Salvation Army first anti-human trafficking program in Florida that allows short-term housing for trafficking victims who are rescued by law enforcement.   When the term “human trafficking” is mentioned, most people still envision drugged women smuggled into the country. Dotti Groover-Skipper, who has spent decades fighting this epidemic, knows the reality is much more […]

Since 1999, The Salvation Army has operated a free dental clinic to uninsured adults throughout Ventura County, California. It’s 4 a.m. on a Tuesday in Oxnard, California—the roads expectedly quiet, the air crisp. A handful of people form a line outside of The Salvation Army Corps Community Center on Wooley Road. They’re not trying to […]

“Whoever receives a little child because of Me receives Me” (Matt. 18:5 NLV). The Salvation Army is known in this territory for its operation and sponsorship of more than 800 schools. This includes kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools, as well as a range of special institutions for those who are disabled, deaf, blind or […]

Color blindness has rarely been about not seeing differences, but about how we interpret the differences we see.   If I’m on the road, chances are, I have a navigation app running. I need it with me to avoid a traffic jam, direct me to an alternative route that shaves minutes off my drive time, […]

WORTH teaches literacy and numeracy education, vocational trades, and business proficiency to women in rural Kenya. Visitors entering The Salvation Army Corps Community Center in Kapsabet, Kenya, for a monthly WORTH meeting can expect to be greeted by hundreds of smiling women cheering, singing and clapping. As members of the WORTH program, these women have […]

Exploring fair trade and The Salvation Army’s Others project. Follow along with chapter three of “Challenging Evil: Dispatches from the frontline of Radical Justice” and download the discussion guide. Major Danielle Strickland –  The Salvation Army USA Western Territory Social Justice Secretary and coauthor of “Challenging Evil: Dispatches from the frontline of Radial Justice” Colonel Richard Munn – The Salvation […]

“Sometimes I feel like we are just running a hotel and restaurant around here!” I still remember my dad making that exasperated statement when I was 17 years old. I was moody and irritable, and made little effort to engage my dad or stepmom in any meaningful way. Twenty-four years later, I continue to think […]

If you have a desire to serve others, it’s especially important to care for yourself as well. Slowing down to rest can become an afterthought for anyone in the business of serving others. But neglecting fatigue can cause burnout from the very cause you love and care deeply about. In our culture, “self-care” can be […]

When you want to show someone you care about them but you don’t have a lot of money to spend, it can be hard to figure out how to express your appreciation. How do you demonstrate the love and gratitude you have for a person when you don’t have the budget to gift them something […]

The little things you can do to combat human trafficking in the fashion industry can make a big difference. Who doesn’t love finding clothes for a cheap price? With advertisements flying at us to browse our favorite brand’s new line, it’s easy to forget to consider how these clothes are being made so quickly and […]

How to observe creation conservation beyond the international holiday We live on a beautiful planet. We have oceans and mountains, deserts and forests, valleys and plains to explore and observe in awe and wonder. We have been called to take care of the planet we inhabit, from the smallest plants to the largest animals. The […]

Today is International Women’s Day, a campaign dedicated to driving better outcomes for women everywhere. According to the World Economic Forum, the gender gap won’t close until 2186. But this day calls for men and women to catalyze and #BeBoldForChange in celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and in declaring bold […]

“There’s no reason why when you exercise, whether you’re a kid or an adult, you shouldn’t be making electricity.” – Adam Boesel Eco-fitness invites everyone to gear up for a more sustainable future. ‘What if the care-free act of riding a bicycle could become much more impactful, just by making a few modifications? Adam Boesel, […]

The Salvation Army delivers 1,000 free, hot meals to farms in Central California each week. Along California’s Central Coast, spanning Point Mugu to Monterey Bay, sit some of the most fertile farming regions in the United States. In the Salinas Valley, famously mentioned in John Steinbeck’s novels, agriculture dominates the economy. Ninety-one percent of farmworkers […]

Captain Lucy Chacha’s experience with female genital mutilation is fueling her dream to end the cultural practice in the Mara Region of Tanzania. Way up in the north east of Tanzania lies the Mara Region, home to the world-renowned Serengeti National Park, where millions of people from all over the world come to witness the […]

Salvation Army boxing club hits at-risk youth. For 10 years, the Double Punches Boxing Club has been operating an afterschool program for at-risk youth at The Salvation Army’s Santa Rosa, California, Corps. Director Richard Lopez had the idea for the program 15 years earlier and began training kids to box out of his garage. The […]

Team Depot volunteers transform Salvation Army veteran housing facilities. The Home Depot Foundation is partnering with The Salvation Army in the Western Territory to transform veteran housing facilities with over $400,000 in financial contributions and in-kind materials. “Corporate partners bring far more to the table than just dollars,” said Maria Todaro, Territorial Corporate Relations Manager, […]

“We realize we cannot help everybody but it is our responsibility to help somebody.” – Laura Cuevas, SquareHue President and CoFounder The Natural Citizen   Set apart by simplicity and quality, The Natural Citizen cut out any frills, flavors or miracles to deliver honest, quality-tested whole foods. Its products—like the Organic Energy ($39) blend of […]

Join in the experience of impacting lives. At my desk in the World Missions Department at Territorial Headquarters, my inbox is constantly filled with photo updates of children from our sponsorship program, letters about their learnings, and news highlighting sustainability projects and life skill training programs being implemented at Salvation Army children’s homes and schools […]

In each issue of Caring, we discuss products and companies that do good. Consider these 12 brands that give back while you’re shopping for Christmas gifts this year.  OneGrid Candle With a mission of “One World. One Light. One Grid.,” each OneGrid candle purchased delivers a solar light to a person living without electricity in a rural […]

“If you want to be effective at changing someone’s life, you’ll have to partner.” – Adrian Tirtanadi, Bayview Hunters Point Community Legal Executive Director and Co-Founder Collaboration addresses immediate legal needs and the underlying causes. On affordability and accessibility, The World Justice Project ranks the United States’ civil justice system 64th in the world. When […]

Program boosts family store income and builds awareness of other Salvation Army programs. Responding to increased competition on the national textiles donation landscape, Allen Chan, Salvation Army National Advisory Board member, championed a new pilot program in Wake County, N.C. “The thrift store business in general—whether we are competing with consignment stores or outlets—has grown […]

After I graduated from college, I was offered a job covering local business and politics for my community newspaper. One day, not long after I had started, my boss called me and told me to attend the city council meeting later that evening to cover a local zoning issue that was slated for discussion. This […]

It’s that time of year again: the time to give thanks for all that’s good in our lives. It’s also a great time of year to give time, resources and funds to the causes working to help our communities thrive. The #GivingTuesdaysocial movement was founded in 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y cultural organization […]

The Salvation Army works in one of Costa Rica’s roughest neighborhoods to propel its youth up and out. A half dozen children laugh and chase one another around a plastic yellow hippopotamus in the play yard of The Salvation Army León XIII Day Care Center in Costa Rica, skillfully avoiding the puddles from an earlier […]

There’s no home too small for a pollinator garden. Christine Casey of the Honey and Pollination Center at UC Davis says even a flower pot on an apartment balcony may be enough to attract birds and bees. Try a few of these tips to get started: 1. Choose the right plants Carol Bornstein of the […]

Frank Massolini advocates for trafficking victims as a warrior against exploitation through The Salvation Army. Most newlyweds spend their honeymoon celebrating a new chapter in life, but Frank Massolini found his to be a chance to help someone else start anew. His story begins back in September 1973, when a young Massolini enrolled in a […]

You’ve set a communication plan for your family, so the next step is to put together a household disaster supplies kit to have on hand in case of emergency. This kit should be ready to go in case you need to grab it while evacuating. Or, it could help you shelter in place until basic […]

A handcrafted boat offers sustenance, sustainability and connection to a Venezuela community A fishing boat at the San Luis Corps in Maracaibo, Venezuela, allows us to fish and sell the catch to support local ministry. It is “Pesca Milagrosa” (Miraculous Fishing).   This was a program that no one imagined our corps would be able […]

“Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.” – Gary Snyder Cities around the country are using innovative urban planning to turn dead zones into vibrant civic spaces. Studies have long shown the myriad benefits we humans derive from the mere presence of greenery. “Trees and parks are essential for positive human function,” […]

We practice for it in school. We debate the safety of seeking shelter in the doorway (not recommended). We prepare readiness boxes with food and water. Yet, when the ground shakes beneath you or the flood waters rise or the tornado touches down, it’s unsettling. It seems news headlines reporting natural disasters and other calamities […]

From the White House down to your own backyard, an unprecedented round of initiatives works to save a fragile link in our ecosystem. With its gently rolling water and twinkling lights, San Antonio’s Riverwalk is well-known as a charming spot for a leisurely stroll. Each year, millions of visitors relax among its shaded patios, picturesque […]

While each disaster creates its own unique circumstances and special needs, Salvation Army disaster relief efforts focus on seven core services. These services may be modified based on the magnitude of the disaster and adapted to meet the specific needs of individual survivors. Training The first step in being ready to respond to an emergency […]

It’s easy to think “disaster won’t strike here,” but if it did, do you have a plan? Have you considered: How will your family get emergency alerts and warnings? How will your family get to a safe location? How will your family get in touch if cell phones and wifi won’t work? The Department of […]

Greenpeace launched “Detox My Fashion” in 2011 to urge fashion retailers to take responsibility for their contribution to pollution and encourage them to reduce the usage of hazardous chemicals. Now in the third edition of the Detox Catwalk, a report evaluating the progress major fashion brands have taken toward their commitment to eco-friendliness, they’re naming […]

The Salvation Army aims to prevent and intervene in childhood obesity across the U.S. It’s the middle of the school day, but over 200 third, fourth and fifth graders are in the midst of a Latin-dance inspired fitness session—Zumba—at the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Biloxi, Miss. The students and teachers are […]

Parents have dreams for their children. Dreams of success as adults. Dreams of how they will interact with teachers and peers. Dreams of them standing up for themselves in challenging circumstances. We do the best we can for them, to teach them what is right and how to live. We teach our children how to […]

I love my morning routine. Around 6:30, I roll out of bed, take a shower and dry my hair. Then I put on my favorite cotton robe, move into my kitchen and boil some water for my French press coffee. While the water is heating, I grab the greek yogurt, plain granola and blueberries from […]

We all want the best for our kids. For some, that means trying a new life, in a new place, where children will hopefully have better opportunity. That’s the case for the majority of migrants, according to the United Nations Population Fund, who cross borders in search of better economic and social opportunities. In 2015, […]

Summers can be tricky. Once the excitement of afternoons at the pool, trips to the park and morning cartoons has faded, it can be hard to find creative, healthy ways to pass the time. Why not use that spare time to teach your kids to do good for their community, neighbors and friends? Here are […]

It’s nearly time—back to school. As the summer fades away, store shelves are stocked with all of the latest scholastic essentials. In fact, the average family spends over $670 on back-to-school items, according to the National Retail Federation. But you have a choice on what to buy. So as you start checking off everything from […]

I don’t usually take a big vacation in the summer. Sure, I’ll fly up north to visit my family for a long weekend and I may take a girls trip to a nearby town, but I save my big annual trip for the fall when most of the tourists, and the often unbearable heat, are […]

AmeriCorps commits a team to help The Salvation Army combat hunger. AmeriCorps joined with The Salvation Army in a common goal: food security. Ten AmeriCorps team members are working with Mountain Harvest, a project of the Vail Valley Salvation Army that engages local gardeners in an on-site, fenced-in garden with 24 plots and drip irrigation […]

Women in recovery find new skill, empowerment in cooking Five mother sauces. Butter versus margarine. Paneer cheese and fromage blanc. These aren’t lessons from a gourmet cookbook. They’re straight out of a treatment facility at The Salvation Army. A partnership between The Salvation Army Family Treatment Services (FTS) program on O‘ahu and Touch A Heart […]

Recent research suggests that growing up in concentrated poverty makes the American Dream much less likely, according to data highlighted in Bridgespan’s May report on “Billion Dollar Bets to Create Opportunity for Every American.” While policies enforcing economic and racial segregation are no longer the norm, the consequences of families being trapped in high-poverty neighborhoods […]

Outside St. Louis, Mo., The Salvation Army brings youth and law enforcement together to foster reconciliation in communities riven by racial injustice. “When you look at officers who are in underserved communities with high crime, and young people who are in underserved communities with high crime, unfortunately both of them are often dealing with the […]

It’s sort of like having some great photos on your phone. What do you do with them all? And if you’re posting them on social media, how do you make sure they represent the best version of yourself? The Salvation Army had a similar issue surrounding statistics that are collected around the country. The impact […]

Downed trees provide opportunity for partnership, ministry and needs fulfillment. In the rural town of Coos Bay, Ore., many low-income residents rely solely on wood-burning stoves to heat their homes. So when Lt. Kevin Pope, corps officer of The Salvation Army Coos Bay Corps, received a call from City Manager Roger Craddock about some downed […]

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals call for an end to poverty in all its forms everywhere by 2030. Why? More than 700 million people still live in extreme poverty and are struggling to fulfill the most basic needs like health, education, and access to water and sanitation, to name a few. That’s a lot of […]

Liz Golden finds it hard to plan for her and her son’s future. The single mother who struggled with addiction wants Geovani, 5, to have a good education, a stable home and positive life experiences. But planning long-term seems impossible when there are so many unanswered questions in the immediate future. “I have no clue […]

Recent research suggests that growing up in concentrated poverty makes the American Dream much less likely, according to data highlighted in Bridgespan’s report on “Billion Dollar Bets to Create Opportunity for Every American.” While policies enforcing economic and racial segregation are no longer the norm, the consequences of families being trapped in high-poverty neighborhoods endure. […]

According to a 2015 UNICEF report, 58 million children between ages 6-11 and 63 million high school-age children lack access to education worldwide. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia have the highest rates of children out of school. Many of The Salvation Army’s 3,000 schools are designed with the specific needs of the community in mind. […]

The Salvation Army has fostered faith in children and young adults through camp since 1939, and every summer, thousands of kids arrive ready to explore, learn, and grow in the outdoors. Located among the Santa Monica Mountains in Calabasas, Calif., Camp Mt. Crags and Gilmore are just two of the many camps that The Salvation […]

It’s after school on Friday and the homework is light, so Grace, 7, takes a seat at one of 16 laptops in the room and signs in. The second grader with hot pink nails is soon clicking through questions about responsible money choices, topics from the difference between a career and entrepreneur, to an introduction […]

Illness and relocation left a family of seven out in the cold until they met The Salvation Army. Fifteen-year-old Kayden Kuewa quietly tucked his younger brothers into bed at a shelter. When they asked when they were going home, all he could say was that it wasn’t home, but it was inside. “When we became […]

Diversionary program helps low-level offenders work toward self-sufficiency   Stephen Killebrew trolled the streets of Santa Barbara, Calif., drunk and high on synthetic marijuana. He’d been homeless three years, and throttled by schizophrenia and bipolar disorder for even longer. On this particular night, he shouted expletives at passing traffic, fuming for no apparent reason. One […]

“Family is what drives these searches. People might have everything else in place—their finances, shelter, food—but without that relative, they just don’t feel complete.” Since the 1880s, The Salvation Army has worked to find missing loved ones and complete families. In one corner of the 11th floor of a nondescript office tower in downtown Long […]

Impact investing works to create positive outcomes for society, sometimes at the expense of returns. Presidential election years are great for stirring up conversation about how best to serve the public good. Should the government step out of the way and let the market lift people out of poverty? Or should the government tax the […]

“When we became homeless, it made me feel as a mother like I couldn’t take care of my family,” said Iva Kuewa. “We were out on the street with basically nothing.” The family’s troubles began when Iva’s husband Kayne Kuewa could no longer take construction work after falling ill with cancer and diabetes. Her full-time […]

The Salvation Army often helps veterans in need connect to housing, but the Army in Long Beach, Calif., took it a step further to offer “welcome home” gift packs. Stocked with dishes, glassware, flatware, pots and pans, cooking utensils, bath towels, a Crock Pot or toaster, rugs, shower curtains bedding, a $300 voucher to a […]

“Life was everything I wanted. Houses with ocean views. More licensed cars than licensed drivers. I was making a lot of money. It was just going great. We were putting in 10, 12, 17 hour days and these guys were always energetic and were able to go surfing and have fun and work these massive […]

When Lydia pressed for her money, her employers simply got more creative with their accounting. At one point, the family gave her a cell phone, but charged her $180 a week to cover calls to Mexico she says she never made. The Salvation Army combats labor trafficking and helps survivors reclaim their lives. With a […]

The United States is No. 1 in a lot of categories, but being first because of the number of people in our prison population is nothing to be proud of. We have 4 percent of the world’s population and 20 percent of the prisoners. That’s simply too many. Regardless of how you feel about crime and […]

Life was everything I wanted. Houses with ocean views. More licensed cars than licensed drivers. I was making a lot of money. It was just going great. We were putting in 10, 12, 17 hour days and these guys were always energetic and were able to go surfing and have fun and work these massive […]

The Salvation Army is launching initiatives from culinary to construction Hope Harbor Culinary Arts Lodi, Calif. At age 6, Barry Crall was in the kitchen making pancakes. “They say you’re born to be a chef, and I guess I was,” he said. Crall trained under three chefs before becoming one in 1985 and has worked […]

Nevada is the most impoverished state in the U.S., according to The Salvation Army’s Human Needs Index. One in five transgender individuals have experienced homelessness in their lives, according to The National Center of Transgender Equality. For many, finding a safe shelter can prove challenging, but it is not entirely impossible in one city. The […]

A campaign to point people in need to The Salvation Army There it was. Every time one of the men walked out the door or looked out the front window of The Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center in Denver, they could see it. It was impossible to miss. It was a reminder of the foe […]

Neurofeedback treatment is helping veterans, recovering addicts and everyone in between find peace from the noise within. On the campus of a homeless shelter billed as “one of the largest west of the Mississippi,” it’s a small, dark room comparable in size to a walk-in closet that’s generating much of the buzz. Inside, residents of The […]

John Potter once rode with a biker gang, but now serves the community breakfast.   “My story starts with a gallon of milk.” It might sound dramatic, but a gallon of milk from The Salvation Army food bank led John Potter to forgiveness and redemption in Christ, which transformed him, he said, from “Lucifer Jr.” […]

“What greater bliss than to look back on days spent in usefulness, in doing good to those around us.” – Dorothea Dix All around us, things are advancing. Have you noticed? Next-generation robotics are completing tasks from weed control to harvesting or helping patients out of bed. Scientists are experimenting with “edits” to the genetic […]

In her office near the Willamette River in downtown Portland, Mackenzie Neitling spends her days reviewing design goals, attending construction meetings and drawing architectural plans. Native to a city known for valuing individuality and outside-the-box thinking, Neitling plots tenant spaces for corporate office buildings as a designer for Mackenzie, a multi-disciplinary architecture and engineering design […]

Nearly 23,000 volunteers served over 161,000 people from 474 Service Extension units in The Salvation Army Western Territory last year. When the Vail Pass on the I-70 closes, stranding drivers on their way to Denver at over 10,000 feet above sea level in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Dan Smith gets a call and goes […]

John volunteers weekly at the Spokane Salvation Army Food Bank By Cara Cahoon – “When I’m here it doesn’t matter what worries or problems I’m having, I come here and it all goes away,” said John, a volunteer at the Spokane Salvation Army Food Bank. “I’m so engaged in what I do, I don’t think […]

Meighen Lovelace needed help from a Salvation Army food bank a decade ago. Now she’s the one helping clients. When Meighen Lovelace first walked into The Salvation Army Vail Valley in 2007, she was in crisis, though she didn’t know what the term meant at the time. She was pregnant with her first child. She’d […]

When Meighen Lovelace first walked into The Salvation Army Vail Valley in 2007, she was in crisis, though she didn’t know what the term meant at the time. She was pregnant with her first child. She’d recently lost her job in the food service industry and her then-husband had been laid off from his construction […]

A universal agenda to leave no one behind Each fall the United Nations brings together 193 member-state leaders for its annual General Assembly in New York City to discuss global initiatives, issues and policies. This year, as the UN marks its 70th anniversary, the leaders ratified 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), an ambitious and multi-faceted […]

He started volunteering with The Salvation Army in March 1987. When his alarm rings at 4 a.m., four days a week, he gets dressed and takes the bus to the Redondo Beach Corps in Southern California, where he makes coffee and prepares meals for delivery to homebound seniors. “I have something to do, and I […]

National Volunteer Week, April 10-16, recognizes the work of volunteers for causes and charities nationwide. Despite evidence that it leads to health benefits and greater life satisfaction, the rate of volunteering in the United States declined again in 2015, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Just 24.9 percent of Americans volunteered through or […]

When the Vail Pass on the I-70 closes, stranding drivers on their way to Denver at over 10,000 feet above sea level in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Dan Smith gets a call and goes to work. With Fire Department volunteers, he creates a makeshift 150-bed emergency shelter in 30 minutes, with cots spread across […]

After DUI, teen’s legal residency hinges on sobriety Drunk and high on cocaine, Aaron Varela Maldonado climbed into the driver’s seat of his car with a friend riding shotgun in late January 2015. With neither passenger buckled in, Maldonado lost control of the vehicle and missed a sharp turn, crashing into a tree in Vail, […]

Across the landscape of The Salvation Army’s service in communities across America, new life is a common theme as hope is restored. In some cases, the new life is more literal as seeds bring forth produce and more. These are a few growing gardens. Canoga Park, Calif. At the Canoga Park Adult Rehabilitation Center in […]

When Ashley Moorehead finished serving four years active duty in the Marine Corps, she quickly realized the enormity of the challenge in front of her: finding a job in Los Angeles. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 53 percent of newly discharged post-9/11 veterans across the country will face a period of unemployment. […]

Michael Brito doesn’t want his community to suffer the effects of diabetes. As the director of operations at The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, he cares about his neighbors’ health. So when an article reported Solano County had the highest rate of diabetes in all 58 California counties, it caught his […]

Across the country, thrift sales fund rehabilitation through The Salvation Army.   Mike Beaudreau starts his day on the docks of the warehouse in Anaheim, Calif., at 6:30 a.m. He checks the trucks, and looks over 14 routes his drivers will take that day to pick up goods donated to The Salvation Army—an average of […]

‘Money Matters: Make It Count’ teaches financial literacy to teens. Most parents want to be good role models for their children, but when it comes to finances, many are not equipped to set a solid example. It’s no secret that financial literacy is low among a majority of Americans. Only one-third of the population is […]

The Salvation Army continues to serve the Gulf Coast.   “I just had a feeling. I had a full tank, so I packed up some food and some stuff. I told the kids, ‘Get inside,’ and just started driving north [toward Atlanta],” said Constanza Porche, whose home was destroyed in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina. Porche […]

Waves for Water partners with surfers, teachers and government agencies to bring clean water to developing countries.  Pro surfer Jon Rose was in the water when the 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia in 2009. He had no idea what he’d find when he reached land. The quake leveled the city of Padang, claiming more than […]

In partnership with the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, the Human Needs Index provides an in depth look at poverty in the U.S. through The Salvation Army.   It’s sort of like having some great photos on your phone. What do you do with them all? And if you’re posting them on social media, how […]

Holiday shoppers exhausted their wallets on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but today, many are opening their wallets once more for a great cause. #GivingTuesday, a social movement that first began in 2012, is dedicated to encouraging people to give to philanthropic efforts. It is a simple concept – find a way to give back […]

Medical director makes patient appointments in the gym Jeff Menter was sick. Just 36 years old, the Post Falls, Idaho, man suffered from heart disease, chronic pain, obesity and depression. Menter was sick, but maybe most of all, he was sick of his self-imposed social isolation. “When you have chronic pain, you just kind of […]

Cure Violence applies epidemic health model to communities People have known for a long time that violence begets violence, but I don’t think people truly understood that violence is scientifically a contagious problem. When we apply epidemic control methods to prevent violence, we are able to drastically reduce shootings, killings and other violent acts. I’m […]

Pathway to Housing’s simple yet revolutionary way to help the chronically homeless Gerard Thomas served with the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War, and then lived on the streets of Washington, D.C., sleeping on park benches, in alleyways and deep in the woods of Rock Creek Park for 30 years. “I came home from the […]

How World Harvest is creating an income generator for Somali refugees A man living in Northern Uganda has a mango tree that produces a rich supply of fruit twice a year—his main source of income. He peels and slices the mangoes, soaks them in syrup for six hours, dries the mangoes and finally packages them […]

Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Doan carries an inside-out expertise on video game addiction. Open a book, scan a page of text, commit it to consciousness and recount it with accuracy—also known as photographic memory. While only a small percentage of people actually have this ability, Dr. Andrew Doan counts himself among them. “I was bored in […]

There’s a tiny blue shed on a farm in Scotland that feeds school children in some of the world’s poorest countries. The shed is headquarters to Mary’s Meals, a nonprofit, that celebrated an impressive milestone last May in the country where it all started. “We celebrated in a small village in Malawi in the middle […]

Common Sense Media guides new parents through the ever-evolving world of social media.   When Joy Mikles realized that her 8-year-old son was playing an online game that allowed for friend requests, she knew it was time to have the talk. “I told him ‘you can’t play this game anymore because you don’t know who […]

Memory Banda grew up in rural Malawi in a community that practices child marriage. The girls in her village were expected to leave school to attend an initiation camp when they reached puberty, usually at the age of 10, 11 or 12. While at these camps, they were taught how to please men and were […]

GoodWorks Coffee & Tea founder shares his effort to empower farmers, train at-risk orphans for employment and brew well.   It’s 4:32 p.m. when the wheels screech hitting the ground in Beijing, China. Just 50 miles away is a “small city” of relative unimportance called Langfang. It’s best known for its furniture markets, but what […]

Young professionals make an impact through skills-based volunteering In her office near the Willamette River in downtown Portland, Mackenzie Neitling spends her days reviewing design goals, attending construction meetings and drawing architectural plans. Native to a city known for valuing individuality and outside-the-box thinking, Neitling plots tenant spaces for corporate office buildings as a designer […]

Connecting kids on a global scale Kidnected World is creating tools to help kids create a sense of global belonging. Since 2012, the nonprofit has developed an initial tool for kids ages 5-12, the Wonderment, to connect online and discover, share and create together. Through their interaction, social good projects materialize around the world. Amy […]

No one likes to talk about menstruation. It’s not considered a polite topic of conversation and for that reason it can be difficult to raise awareness and funds for the women and girls around the world whose lives come to a halt for about one week every 28 days. Women around the world spend an average of […]

One organization uses handwriting to help homeless individuals.  You might see them every day, or once a week on your commute to work. An individual on the side of the road with a cardboard sign. To most, they are an unknown face, struggling day-to-day, but to the Arrels foundation, they are artists with great potential. […]

Last week, France passed a law banning the common practice among supermarkets of ruining unsold food by pouring bleach into their garbage bins filled with food so that it could not be eaten by anyone desperate enough to rummage through them. Arash Derambarsh, municipal councillor in a region just northwest of Paris, fought for this new law […]

Tix4Cause flips empty seats for charity cash. Another weekend, another game day. Though routine in Mary Nemetz’s household, she still hadn’t come to grips with sacrificing her favorite television program to watch grown men run around chasing a ball. On this day, Nemetz was ready to flip the channel, even if it meant World War […]

Imagine a place where your child could not enjoy the simple notion of playing ball with friends. For many children living in war-torn countries, playtime means kicking around the closest thing that resembles a ball. Tim Jahnigen, a former lyricist, came up with an idea to help children affected by poverty and war. In 2006, […]

It’s no secret that California is running low on water. Images of dry reservoirs, shrinking lakes and dead almond trees are popping up everywhere online. This is the fourth year the golden state is in a drought, one of the worst on record. Last April, California Governor Jerry Brown issued an executive order requiring water […]

Imagine a shoe that could withstand wear and tear, all while adjusting to a child’s growth each year. Founder and Executive Director of The Shoe That Grows, Kenton Lee, did just that. Built to last, Lee and his team came up with a patented design that developed a shoe for the 21st century. The concept […]

Aziz Abu Sarah wants to break down cultural and historical barriers between people through tourism. In 2009, he co-founded Mejdi Tours, a joint Jewish-Arab tour company based out of Arlington, Va. along with a conflict-resolution professor and a former financial adviser. Their goal was to create a new kind of tour company that uses tourism […]

Ron Finley threw some seeds in the ground and got the whole world talking food in 2011. Now he’s transforming a vacant lot behind LA’s oldest library into a food forest. Ron Finley never had much trouble with the law—until he planted a garden. The South Los Angeles native planted some jasmine, rosemary, lavender, then […]

A head start for kids in Maria Elena She clings to her mother’s skirt. Dania, nearly 2, goes with her mother, 19, to collect recyclable materials in the garbage dump at night and to buy and sell recycled goods during the day. Her father, a longtime drug addict, is absent, known for soliciting prostitutes and […]

Harnessing a simple feeling to weaken fighters in the Lord’s Resistance Army Coming home is a powerful feeling. As someone who enjoys the comforts and ease of a familiar place, I am not a prime candidate for living and working in the jungles of central Africa. The desire for home was never stronger than after […]

Monica Lewinsky says she was patient zero, and is out to bring awareness to the viral problem.  Though we know the name well, we haven’t heard from Monica Lewinsky directly—until now. White House intern made famous by an affair with the president, Lewinsky says she has spent the past decade trying being reclusive, leaving the […]

By Angel –  I have experienced abuse. One time, when I lived with a lady with a gambling addiction, I was locked in a basement, unallowed to use the bathroom or eat. When she lost money, she’d take it out on me. The physical abuse continued until police removed me and I was off to […]

How the Hack To End Homelessness Initiative introduced Seattle techies to the greater community. Commuting to work is uneventful for most people, but for Seattle resident Candace Faber it’s a constant reminder of the people with no place to call home. “I work in Pioneer Square, a neighborhood that is at the heart of Seattle’s […]

New cookbook invites you to eat well on a budget. With just $4 a day, you can eat well and enjoy it. That was Leanne Brown’s goal in writing “Good and Cheap”—a cookbook for tight budgets. Submitted as her capstone project for a master’s degree in food studies at New York University, Brown shared a […]

Since 1943, we’ve accepted that people are motivated to achieve certain needs, moving on to the next only after one is fulfilled. Psychologist Abraham Maslow defined these needs in a hierarchy that is often depicted within a pyramid, ranging from our basic needs—both physiologically and emotionally—and our growth needs, or self-actualization. He asserted that the […]

Right from the beginning, William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army, was concerned with poverty and all it brought with it. It simply didn’t seem just that this sizeable population should be marginalized to such an extent. Today, we think of it as economic justice. I’ve always been intrigued by the word “justice.” It has […]

To eradicate the issue, The Poverty Initiative focuses on the who and why. Roughly 48.8 million people—or 15.8 percent of the U.S. population—lived below the poverty level in 2013, according to the United States Census Bureau. To eliminate poverty, Liz Theoharis knew she needed to first understand who it impacts and why, rather than simply […]

Teens Exploring Technology works to curb youth involvement in gangs. Oscar Menjivar’s parents knew they needed to leave El Salvador––an epicenter of Central America’s gang crisis––to make a better life for their son. They immigrated to the United States, yet where they ended up wasn’t much better than what they left behind. Not far from […]

The Waste Not OC Coalition works to get garbage-bound food into the hands of those who need it most. When you think Newport Beach, Calif., Range Rover caravans and sun-kissed sands come to mind, and justifiably so. With nearly a third of the city’s households netting over $200,000 and a median home price of over […]

Taking on addiction for families By Vivian Gatica – [huge_it_slider id=”11″] Addiction affects the whole family. That’s what Gary Mendell will tell you. His son, Brian, struggled with a drug addiction for years, and after staying sober for 13 months, took his own life in 2011 at age 25. Mendell created Shatterproof the following year […]

When Richard did arrive, she told him he could only visit the kids one day a week. Edith said each time he visited she would do a “proof and search” to ensure he had proof of employment, a bank account, driver’s license, and registration. She also checked his pockets and car for drugs. In time, […]

There is a direct, potentially progressive relationship between habits, compulsions and addictions that grow more harmful. Here are some definitions with a little help from Mr. Webster. Habits: a customary practice or tendency acquired over time that becomes almost involuntary. Habits reveal themselves in the daily activities of each of us. For instance, without thinking […]

Steadying himself at the chapel podium, Jimmy nervously began his testimony. “I was caught in the grip of alcohol,” he said. “It was a compulsion—there was nothing I could do. I was so empty inside. In incredible misery, I really thought I was dying. “I grew up in the church, and I had been attending […]

Refugees set themselves apart as survivors, but they are not safe from the holds of addiction. Patrick’s family was strikingly different from other refugee families that had recently resettled in the small, southern town in the United States. Like others, his family spent years fleeing their home after it became unsafe to remain. He finally […]

Many envision stopping an addiction as if it only takes a few quick steps, but it is more like stopping a train. Similar to an addiction, a train does not stop as soon as the brakes are applied. The stopping time and distance are dependent upon the amount of freight—or emotional baggage. I liken recovery […]

Transformed life Every day I look into the eyes of men and women who are struggling to overcome addictions. As an officer in The Salvation Army, I have the responsibility to oversee an Adult Rehabilitation Program where individuals work at applying the Lord’s life-changing principles in their lives. It is, for them, a life-and-death struggle. […]

Creative Matters offers new chance at imaginative career In Los Angeles, one residential treatment center is taking its client job placement program further by providing professional internships and jobs. Creative Matters is a full service creative agency staffed almost exclusively by those in recovery from addiction who are either undergoing or have completed treatment at […]

With creativity and commitment, The Adventure Project is putting people to work. Becky Straw has an energy and zeal you can feel. She has an ease about her that permeates from her hazel-green eyes. Straw is the co-founder of the nonprofit The Adventure Project, admittedly not a path she expected to take. To date, it […]

While the road to recovery from addiction or trauma is particularly long and bumpy, any road is better traveled on a bicycle. Gearing Up offers women in transition from abuse, addiction or incarceration the skills, equipment and guidance to safely ride a bicycle for exercise, transportation and personal growth. Enrollment in this Philadelphia-based nonprofit is […]

Its glitz and glamour are known the world over. Home to the entertainment industry, studios and stations dot the map below the iconic, white, 45-foot-tall Hollywood Sign. Yet hiding behind the lights is a population of homeless, drifting youth looking for home. The 2013 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count by the Los Angeles Homeless Services […]

A porter named Benson helped Matthew Clough summit Mt. Kilimanjaro, carrying a heavy rucksack and thus enabling Clough to reach the top. On the climb down, Clough learned that Benson didn’t earn enough to put a child through school. Eager to help, Clough set out to design back home. He bought a sewing machine and […]

The violence against Malala Yousafzi wasn’t an isolated incident. Around the world, people—girls, in particular—fight to earn an education. The world recently cried #BringBackOurGirls as nearly 300 high-school girls were held captive. The name of the extremist group responsible for their kidnapping—Boko Haram, in Nigerian Hausa—means “Western education is a sin.” I beg to differ. […]

It started with one student. Salman Khan, founder of Khan Academy, tutored one of his cousins in math via phone and interactive notepad. At the time, Khan was an analyst at a Boston-based hedge fund, and eventually his one student turned into 15. When he didn’t have time to tutor them in real-time, he created […]

In her 16 years of service at The Salvation Army, Ana Aguirre has seen the American family change before her eyes. As program director for the Zahn Memorial Center, an emergency shelter for families in downtown Los Angeles, Aguirre is in constant contact with those in need. She helps single parents, interracial families and inmate […]

Just north of the River Thames at the East end of the medieval walled City of London, clusters of villages were at one time surrounded by farmland. Then with the construction of docks and a railway, the expanding population led to extreme overcrowding and poor conditions. “The invention about 1880 of the term ‘East End’ […]

Walk into Sydney’s Food 4 Life Market and something might confuse you: None of the products have price tags. That’s because customers always pay the same price for all of their groceries––just $15. The Salvation Army in Australia opened the Food 4 Life Market in the Sydney suburb of Busby in August 2013 to offer […]

Jerry Ernst was sitting pretty, making a cool $140,000 a year in retail management. All the while, he was battling an addiction to methamphetamines. Eventually, his addiction caught up with him and landed him in prison. Ernst is now 46 and out of prison. The six-figure salary is gone. He’s living in a homeless shelter, […]

A book you won’t put down [huge_it_slider id=”13″] From a straw filter to household water filtration units, borehole wells, pump repair, water systems and water source fencing, to proper sanitation training and development and integrated hygiene curriculum programs, WATERisLIFE has worked since 2009 to transform communities with long-term sustainable solutions. Between 1990 and 2012, 2.3 […]

In Zimbabwe, Howard Hospital offers health and care.   [huge_it_slider id=”8″] The Salvation Army has served the people of the Chiweshe community since 1923 when Howard Institute, a school, was founded some 50 miles north of the Zimbabwean capital, Harare. The hospital opened five years later, with a nurse training program added in 1929. Now, […]

We’ll introduce you to a few. It’s the season of holiday love, a time when people across the country recognize gratitude and a sense of togetherness. We join in the holiday spirit—decorating, baking and celebrating. These winter months are also when The Salvation Army is most recognized as it assembles with kettles in front of […]

Once the United Nations (UN) formalized a global pact to end poverty 13 years ago, partnering with an organization founded upon this very basis was practically inevitable. The UN launched the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000 and all 189 United Nations member states subsequently signed on to fulfill these eight major milestones by the […]

As a quasi-military organization, The Salvation Army administers its international work via a zonal system at International Headquarters (IHQ) in London. As well as the handling of day-to-day business and the allocation of resources, International Headquarters is concerned with strategic, long-range planning and functions as a resource center and facilitator of ideas and policies for […]

“When I tried to get my things, I was stabbed almost to death,” Isabel said. “I was in the hospital for two months and I couldn’t walk for a year and half. They hit major arteries and nerves.” Isabel was born in Chicago, Ill. At 8 years old, she was taking her clothes off in […]

Moving past culture shock in ministering overseas [huge_it_slider id=”6″] After more than three years in Kenya, I was convinced that our new appointment in London would be a piece of cake. Consistent electricity, water flowing freely from the tap, and my favorite stores just a short walk away. I was excited when, soon after our […]

Partnering corporate social responsibility with The Salvation Army Funding for The Salvation Army’s operation in 125 countries comes predominantly from a small number of industrialized nations—80 percent of it is generated by the Army in the United States. International Monetary Fund 2012 ranking of countries by GDP (in millions of USD) 1 United States 15,684,750 […]

After 27 years of war, Angola was broken in every sense of the word. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) records indicate that approximately 40 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, the average life expectancy is only 54 years, and 49 percent of the population still lacks an adequate water supply. The Salvation Army […]

One fateful morning, a woman from a comfortable financial background entered the The Salvation Army Life Centre in Darwin, Australia, full of curiosity and interest. She confidently eyed her surroundings, continuously praising our art therapy class for people experiencing homelessness. At the end of her guided tour of the facility, I casually directed her attention […]

To give families relief from the pressures of back-to-school needs, The Salvation Army partnered with Target for the fifth year in a row to provide 12,000 students nationwide the supplies they need for the fall. “We need to get kids ready for school,” said Sharon Kerr, donor relations director for the Southern California Division of […]

A holistic Middle Ground approach to early childhood education ministries “Let’s sing hello to Leo, to Leo, to Leo. Let’s sing hello to Leo, sing hello. Let’s wave hello to Henry, to Henry, to Henry. Let’s wave hello to Henry, wave hello. Let’s clap hello to Kylie, to Kylie, to Kylie. Let’s clap hello to […]

Jeff Taylor I did not attend the repeat drug offender booth at my high school’s career day. No one could have convinced me that I would be incarcerated on six different occasions for committing drug-related crimes. Growing up my babysitters were the Pacific Ocean and the Phoenix Country Club in Arizona. My only concerns were […]

In response to the recent arrests of human traffickers in the Greater Cincinnati area, The Salvation Army announced the involvement of its Anti-Human Trafficking Program in the coordination and provision of services for the identified local survivors. The Salvation Army Anti-Human Trafficking Program staff and volunteers partnered with the Cincinnati FBI Office, Cincinnati Police Department […]

A single mother of six living in western Kenya, Rose is no stranger to adversity. “When my husband died I remember thinking that everything was hopeless,” she said. “I couldn’t afford to send the children to school and it would soon be the end of my life as well.” Confronted with economic hardship, social exclusion […]

Facebook power couple Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan’s announcement late last year to give away half of their wealth during their lifetime may have come as a surprise to many, considering the 28 and 27-year-old, respectively, don’t fall into the demographic typically occupied by high capacity philanthropists. Some saw the gesture as the onset of […]

President and director of Christian Legal Aid tells a story of struggle and strength. Patricia Oliver knows what it’s like to struggle. Her story is one that’s filled with heartbreak, but also an unusual resilience to rise above. Oliver grew up destitute in Compton and Santa Ana, Calif., with her mother and five siblings. Her […]

[huge_it_slider id=”5″] Following an earthquake that struck Dingxi City in the Gansu Province of China the morning of July 23, The Salvation Army mobilized a disaster assessment team from the Hong Kong and Macau Command. According to the Gansu Provincial Seismological Bureau, the quake registered a 6.6-magnitude. State media reported that the temblor struck along […]

Jamie Tworkowski wrote a story, “To Write Love On Her Arms” about Renee, a friend struggling with a cocaine addiction and self-mutilation. After she was denied entry into a treatment center in Orlando, Fla., Tworkowski posted the story online hoping to provide a support system for her and others in a similar situation. Tworkowski had […]

The Salvation Army today exists in 126 countries. Its 15,765 corps are made up of 1,132,823 soldiers. That’s over one million individual minds who have committed to the principles and practices of The Salvation Army as a movement, and who claim to follow the ways and teachings of Jesus in their everyday lives. Each of […]

Paul Crowley is not your average Pepperdine University student. He’s 61, part of an exclusive 20-student population attending Pepperdine’s Palmer Center Micro-Enterprise Program and he commutes to school from The Salvation Army Haven homeless shelter. Like all of his peers, he’s homeless, and like many of them, he’s also a veteran. He’s the embodiment of […]

Vu Pham Hoang, 28, grew up on a coffee farm in Pleiku. Located in central Vietnam, Pleiku was strategically important during the Vietnam War as the main center of defense in the highland region and home to the U.S. Camp Holloway. The farm belonged to Hoang’s grandparents, and his parents worked the land when they […]

Committed to compassion You can find Rose Mary Hulse, 90, out serving others almost every day. “She really is an amazing person,” said Major Donna Miller, Peoria, Ill., corps officer. “She’s always willing to do anything. The phrase, ‘Compassion in action’ epitomizes Rose Mary.” Hulse offers a hand wherever she is needed at the corps, […]

sleek campus in a suburban area outside of Chicago once served as the center of operations for an oil company, but now houses The Salvation Army’s Central Territorial Headquarters. Each morning, Carol Seiler drives into the underground parking lot and takes the stairs, passing the women’s ministries department and heading for the floor reserved for […]

Salvationists create new organization to combat hunger. My first experience with serving starving people was in, of all places, Acapulco, Mexico. I was there on a mission trip, and had gone with our host to watch the sunset at the beach. A small group of us geared up for a spectacular evening. Not long after […]

Finding stories in the problems, programs, people and situations surrounding us each day Editor’s note: Following this fall’s Western Territory Social Services Councils, Caring partnered with the social services department to share new initiatives, research and efforts that exemplify The Salvation Army’s dedication to human care. This section contains a selection of their work. Developing […]

Salvation Army works to help vulnerable Alaska Native population. Now we “speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” (Proverbs 31:8). When Evangeline Booth heard of the vices and troubles of the northern mining towns, she quickly assembled a field force to follow the stampede north. The […]

Follow these four steps to de-stress Most people live with a haunting feeling that something is fundamentally wrong with the way he or she lives, knowing deeply that we live in a fragile world riddled with tremendous stress. I believe that stress—physical, emotional and spiritual—can fracture us when we become alienated or distracted from our […]

I tend to live in the present—the here and now—not the there and then of the past nor the “sometime-maybe” of the future. But life demands that we look ahead, see what’s coming, understand trends, even make a few predictions. Some others have made profound predictions. In 1943, Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, said, “I […]

Gala raises money for Salvation Army homeless shelters Fashion-forward supporters came out in masses to The Moonrise Hotel in Saint Louis, Mo., for a cutting-edge fashion show to support St. Louis area Salvation Army shelters, raising $19,700. Dubbed “The Garbage Bag Gala,” the show debuted outfits created out of trash bags, duct tape and other […]

Twin Cities Salvation Army attract record participation The MOST Amazing Race held in Minneapolis, Minn., attracted its largest field of competitors and set two new high marks for fundraising this year as 70 competing teams, raised more than $64,000 for local food and shelter programs, pushing the event’s lifetime fundraising total over $316,000. The Twin […]

s a young Nepali girl, Sarai loved the circus. Daring acrobatics, elephant tricks, and glitzy, colorful costumes made it glamorous. At 13, Sarai joined the circus, believing her life would drastically improve. “When we got to Mumbai, they sold me, and forced me into commercial sex work,” Sarai said. She is not alone. An estimated […]

With no identifying signs and a large gate, a Florida domestic violence shelter helps people heal. Sometimes people just snap. Zagorka, an immigrant from Yugoslavia, married in 1958 in a traditional Eastern Orthodox Christian ceremony in Macedonia. They had two sons, one now an electrical engineer in Massachusetts and the other a jeweler in Chicago. […]

Restaurateur feeds ‘motel kids’ and kick-starts family housing. Bruno Serato left Italy more than 30 years ago hoping to attain his version of the American Dream. Never one to settle, he promptly learned English and went from dishwasher to owner of the popular Anaheim White House restaurant, in Anaheim, Calif. He soon realized that not […]

Mentor of men A resident of The Salvation Army Lytton Springs Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) in Healdsburg, Calif., enters a small office and closes the door. Behind the desk a sturdy, white-haired man stands and greets him with a firm handshake and a smile, “Hey, Jesse, how’re you doing?” For the next 40 minutes, the […]

Helping former addicts prepare for employment By Ted Van Alen – In Lodi, Calif., a spot in the kitchen is helping to ensure Hope Harbor and Stockton Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) graduates’ sobriety. When the corps’ advisory board recognized a lack of employment opportunities five years ago for these graduates, it produced a vision, spearheaded […]

Joan Kroc believed in strength, especially strength of character. In the initial discussions for what would become the first Kroc Center, she told the team that she had built self-confidence by ice-skating, and her friend by swimming. She wanted the Kroc Centers to be filled with amenities that would assist people—especially children—in building self-confidence and […]

Canine companions serve as calming conduits for The Salvation Army Daily trials, tensions and tribulations confront each of us with stress. Its repercussions can affect not only our mental and emotional health, but our physiological health as well. Stress can increase both heart rate and blood pressure, according to the American Institute of Stress, which […]

Juvenile offenders reshape their lives with The Salvation Army [huge_it_slider id=”3″] For young people whose lives are riddled by gangs, drugs, poverty and difficult family situations, life is stressful. Crime and jail or juvenile facilities are common, and living in a society with temptations is a constant struggle. For kids in Massachusetts, The Salvation Army […]

Undocumented and abused, a woman finds safety When I first met Sophia* she spoke openly about music, faith and even politics, but whenever I asked about her, I received brief, one-word answers. How are you? “Oh I am blessed,” she said. How are your kids? “They are with their father,” she said.  But when I […]

Captains Erasmus and Ofelia Vargas are Salvation Army officers assigned to Tijuana, Mexico, the largest city on the Baja California Peninsula with 1.8 million people as of the 2010 census. For the Vargases, it is the arena to fulfill a calling to service. “About 20 years ago, we had a bad experience in our lives […]

Commissioners William and Nancy Roberts, respectively the current National Commander and National President of Women’s Ministries, arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina in December 2001, shortly after the peso was severely devalued—money lost 80 percent of its value in a day. The banks suffered, people were out of work, the government experienced five presidents in one […]

Salvation Army invited to Security Council’s passage of Gender Equality Architecture Reform Along with a number of non- governmental organizations and United Nations committees, the International Social Justice against women and children in conflict zones. The dehumanizing nature of sexual violence doesn’t just harm a single individual or a single family or even a single village […]

Displaced families budget, save and find housing while living at Chicago’s Evangeline Booth Lodge. Homelessness doesn’t always equate to living on the streets. When Jamal Murray, 20, and his wife Elainna, 22, learned they were having a baby, the couple moved from Chicago, Illinois, to live with Elainna’s mother in Kentucky, along with their 6-year-old daughter, […]

When the streets are all you have, Los Angeles’s Bell Shelter offers embrace Alexandra Tostes opened her eyes one morning on the couch of a Hollywood drug dealer and began her usual routine–a few drinks of alcohol and a line of meth. But that day it was different; she could feel all the pain, shame […]